Book Review: The City of Heavenly Fire: The Mortal Instruments Finale

Wow, that title is a long one, eh? I really just want to emphasize that this is the last book in the series, because a) I don’t want to bother discussing any of the others and b) I’m going to tell you about how it really won’t be the last book in the series.

Also, let me preface this possibly ranting review with: I read this book not too long after reading The Infernal Devices which made me realize that Cassandra Clare is actually a really terrible writer, even if I want to love her stories.

I would recommend you read this book, if:

You’re Looking for Closure/Damage Control for Infernal Devices.

Cassandra Clare spends time in this book either making up for, or finally explaining, some of the too convenient similarities between her Mortal Instruments / Infernal Devices series. She also expands on the finale of the sister series — and it finally makes sense! I just can’t get over how poorly it was delivered originally though! I’m still upset!

You Hate Subtle Writing.

Sometimes I think about how good these books could be. Or wonder what is in the job description of a book editor. Do they just have to check for spelling and grammar mistakes? Slight plot holes? Do they not suggest ways in which clients could improve the story telling? Or do their authors just not listen?

Everything in this book is just spelled out for the readers. You know, I could — and would like to — make these connections on my own! When the answers are handed out like candy, they don’t feel clever nor satisfying.

For example (super small spoiler), Clary has repeated visions and there is this following line: “The first rune she’d ever visualized not from the gray book.” Now, imagine that the first book in this series had a description of said rune. And then, we’re in the sixth book, and this rune is described again. Sure, 99.8% of us wouldn’t recognize that immediately. But when we did?! So cool. That the author had put thought into adding a detail that wouldn’t come into play until years after the book had been published!

Even secrets are all “Hey, look, I have a secret, and I’m not telling you what.”

Cassandra Clare has mastered the art of the blunt and repetitive writing.

Endings That Come Together At The Last Moment Excite You. AKA You’ve Never Yelled “HOW CONVENIENT” at a Book.

I don’t want to go into details, because obviously not everyone reading this will have read the book.

But let’s just say… the climax is pretty bland. There’s nothing unexpected, nothing that wasn’t hinted at frequently before it occurred. Things happen, just before the worst, to save the day.

And then we have a bunch of time left to wrap up all of our characters. Cassandra Clare has no backbone when it comes to her characters. Everything has to be happy. Perfect. Because this is “the last” book, after all.

You Don’t Think We’ve Had Enough Love Stories Yet/You’re Excited for This Series to Keep Going

There are some new characters in this book. Why?

Well, we needed some new people who could fall in love. Every book has had more characters with more love stories, and this one couldn’t be the exception. Why stick with one love story, or two, when five is such a bigger number?

Also, we can’t actually have this series end!! It’s making us too much money because we’ve sucked in unsuspecting readers and made them invested in our story! We need to tightly integrate a spin-off so our readers know to come back looking for the new series. And in case they only care about Jace and Clary, we need to make it clear that they’ll be included in future books! And in case they only care about Tessa, we need to make it clear that she’ll be included in future books!

While this series may be under a new name, it’s essentially just a continuation of this book. Despite our new characters being completely unnecessary, they were included solely to set up the next series. It’s just too much, and too tacky.

Argggg!

I really wanted to rant throughout this, and totally spoil the ending, so anyone who wants to rant with me: comment below and we can rage together.

Have a half point for letting us be done with this series (but not really, so minus half a point):

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